Shahsavan flatweaves: sumak bags and kilims of north-west Iran

Who the Shahsavan are

The Shahsavan are pastoral groups of north-west Iran, around Ardabil and the Moghan plain, with branches near Qazvin and Saveh.

Sumak technique

Sumak is a weft-wrapping technique. Coloured yarns are wrapped around warps, making a firm surface with loose yarn ends on the back. Shahsavan sumak bags (mafrash bedding bags and khorjin saddlebags) are well known.

Other weaves

Shahsavan weavers also make slit-tapestry kilims, weft-float jajims and mixed-technique bags. Mixed techniques in one piece are typical.

• Sumak: wrapped wefts, raised surface
• Kilim: slit tapestry
• Jajim: warp-faced bands
• Mafrash: box bag panels

Attribution

Similar sumaks were made across the Caucasus border. Labels such as 'Shahsavan' or 'Caucasian' often depend on dealers' opinions, so treat them as provisional.

Buying checklist

• Ask the seller what the regional name is based on: town, village group or design only
• Turn the rug over and look at knot type, warp colour and weft count
• Check ends, sides and pile height for wear or re-weaving
• Ask whether dyes have run or been chemically washed
• On sumak, look at the back: loose yarn ends are normal, but cut warps are not
• Get any claim about age, region or handmade origin in writing

Care

Bag panels sold flat may have been cut from a bag. Store them flat and avoid hanging heavy panels from one edge.

A note on this guide

This is general information from the CraftPersia editorial team and has not been reviewed by a specialist. Regional names in the rug trade are market labels, and design alone is weak evidence of origin. This guide is not a valuation or authentication.